Family and friends were left distraught at the funeral of a Tyneside woman when a council blunder led to the wrong grave being opened.

The fiasco unfolded yesterday as Lilian Watson, 83, was due to be buried beside her late husband, Albert, at Heaton Cemetery in Newcastle .

But mourners were horrified when they realised a different grave had been dug up.

Council staff had opened the grave of a different Albert Watson who died in the same month as Lilian's husband 18 years ago.

The grave where Mrs Watson wanted to be buried lay untouched less than 100 metres away.

Lilian's daughter, call centre worker Celia Lazzari, 60, of Camsey Close, Longbenton, said: "As the cars drove up I thought, `This is not my dad's grave.' My brother got out and told them. Everyone was devastated. It was a moment of horror when you just can't believe something is really happening. Digging up the wrong grave is inexcusable."

The council quickly dug the correct grave while mourners waited in the chapel.

Mrs Watson, who leaves three children and eight grandchildren, died on September 3 after suffering a stroke and had always wanted to be laid to rest with her husband.

The cortege arrived after a service at Mary Magdalen Church.

Mrs Watson's granddaughter, Lucy Hunter, 32, of Shilbottle, Northumberland, said: "My gran was very religious and everyone was horrified that this should happen to her.

"She had been so organised all her life and had paid for the burial plot herself. For this mess to happen was just wrong."

Lucy, a mum-of-two, added: "We waited for around half an hour in there and it just destroyed the atmosphere of the day."

Celia added: "How would you feel after a mistake like that?

"I also feel sorry for the family of the man in the other grave."

Eventually the mourners were called to the correct grave and the burial went ahead.

A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: "The wrong grave was prepared for this funeral. Staff had been asked to open the grave of Albert Watson who had been buried in February 1986.

"What they failed to take into account was that two men of that name had been buried in the cemetery that month.

"We apologised to the relatives for the mistake and prepared the correct site. We have reviewed our procedures to ensure that the same mistake cannot not be made again."

The council confirmed it was attempting to contact the relatives of the Albert Watson whose grave was wrongly opened.